Personal Banker - advice

[justanotherguy]

Hi, im leaving saf in a couple of months time after serving a bond of 5 years and am graduating with a SIM - UOL finance deg.

I've went for a few job interviews with various banks for the position Personal banker. From what i've learnt is, they are called Personal bankers, Personal financial Consultant, Relationship Managers, etc.

I know its tough because it requires alot of determination, capacity (soft skills) and loads of hardwork. Its been my 'aim' to get this job for awhile already. Yesterday, i had my 2nd interview with POSB and was utterly shocked when presented with certain information.

BRANCH MANAGER:
1) "I have family but no life. I work from 8am - 11pm almost everyday"
2) "This job takes the hell out of you"
3) "mon to sat full day, alternate sunday roadshows"
4) "The time now is 7pm, ITS STILL EARLY"

I wanted to ask her if she's married but she was really scary and demanding. Also, i wanted to ask if she has the time to spend her money away.

Okay, back to myself, Im leaving saf because i wanna make a name for myself as i believe i can do better in the corporate world. Im ready to strive hard and do whatever it takes to succeed.

HOWEVER, i really believe that i should spend some time with my family and my girlfriend. Im really vexed up. I need some advice. Is she scaring me off? Is she those career-minded freak? Is the Personal Banker role in banks really this busy and no life? I wouldnt mind work 6 full days a week and at least spend a day with friends or family. BUT 7 days a week 4 weeks a mth?...? seriously...? Where's the work-life-balance that has been advocated?

I really need some constructive advice if this job is really that taxing and if i should look for other jobs instead.

I thought u said, u r going to give it all out. Now, heard something negative and u r thinking twice.

Seriously, I do not think u hv any experience at all, since u r in SAF.

If u don't put in effort at all, how to chase yr dream after SAF.

U would be lucky enough to get into any bank and give it a try. And stop all excuses....

[justanotherguy]

thanks. straight and precise. appreciate ur comment.
ive bought a hse with my girlfriend, thats the only thing stopping me. i dun wish to lose a wife by accepting a 7days a week job that eats your life out.

Originally Posted by justanotherguy

Hi, im leaving saf in a couple of months time after serving a bond of 5 years and am graduating with a SIM - UOL finance deg.

I've went for a few job interviews with various banks for the position Personal banker. From what i've learnt is, they are called Personal bankers, Personal financial Consultant, Relationship Managers, etc.

I know its tough because it requires alot of determination, capacity (soft skills) and loads of hardwork. Its been my 'aim' to get this job for awhile already. Yesterday, i had my 2nd interview with POSB and was utterly shocked when presented with certain information.

BRANCH MANAGER:
1) "I have family but no life. I work from 8am - 11pm almost everyday"
2) "This job takes the hell out of you"
3) "mon to sat full day, alternate sunday roadshows"
4) "The time now is 7pm, ITS STILL EARLY"

I wanted to ask her if she's married but she was really scary and demanding. Also, i wanted to ask if she has the time to spend her money away.

Okay, back to myself, Im leaving saf because i wanna make a name for myself as i believe i can do better in the corporate world. Im ready to strive hard and do whatever it takes to succeed.

HOWEVER, i really believe that i should spend some time with my family and my girlfriend. Im really vexed up. I need some advice. Is she scaring me off? Is she those career-minded freak? Is the Personal Banker role in banks really this busy and no life? I wouldnt mind work 6 full days a week and at least spend a day with friends or family. BUT 7 days a week 4 weeks a mth?...? seriously...? Where's the work-life-balance that has been advocated?

I really need some constructive advice if this job is really that taxing and if i should look for other jobs instead.

Relax and just take the job first if you are offered. You may like it or leave if you really hate it. There is no bond working in a bank.

My advice - since you are already set on leaving SAF - DONT LOOK BACK

Take the job, try it first.. tell your girlfriend about the job you are going to take on and make sure that she must support you 100%. Generally, most people in banks work long hours..I used to work in a bank for 12-13 hrs a day but sat/sun not included as I am not in front-line sales.

Give yourself a timeframe, say 1 full year, and see if the reward vs the sacrifice is worth it. Also during that time, see if you want to be personal banker for a few years, before moving or try to move to another role that gives you more time.

Dont be afraid to work hard, if you are, you are making a wrong move to the corporate world.

Dont let people discourage you easily.. I am sure a lot of people laugh at Steve jobs when Microsoft was the invincible giant.. with determination, work SMART and hard, sweat it out.. do you best. After some time, weigh your options, see where you are and what you want to acheive.

Good luck bro.

[Bean]

TS should just stay in SAF, as an officer at least rank CPT, salary at least 5k

Originally Posted by Bean

TS should just stay in SAF, as an officer at least rank CPT, salary at least 5k

I know a Major rank will give you at least 8k and this info was accurate for at least 10 years ago. By now, I think it should get you 10k?

[cslee]

It's probably true. My colleague's husband was with a POSB branch. But I remember the hour was not that long, probably start later (~ retail hours) and most weekends were burnt for road-shows and training. Plus a very demanding lady boss. Compensation was not that fantastic either. Probably the only advantage was that the bank location was very near his place. It's a raw deal. He left within a year and now doing IT corporate sales. Now come with flexi hours and earning much much more.

Originally Posted by justanotherguy

Hi, im leaving saf in a couple of months time after serving a bond of 5 years and am graduating with a SIM - UOL finance deg.

I've went for a few job interviews with various banks for the position Personal banker. From what i've learnt is, they are called Personal bankers, Personal financial Consultant, Relationship Managers, etc.

I know its tough because it requires alot of determination, capacity (soft skills) and loads of hardwork. Its been my 'aim' to get this job for awhile already. Yesterday, i had my 2nd interview with POSB and was utterly shocked when presented with certain information.

BRANCH MANAGER:
1) "I have family but no life. I work from 8am - 11pm almost everyday"
2) "This job takes the hell out of you"
3) "mon to sat full day, alternate sunday roadshows"
4) "The time now is 7pm, ITS STILL EARLY"

I wanted to ask her if she's married but she was really scary and demanding. Also, i wanted to ask if she has the time to spend her money away.

Okay, back to myself, Im leaving saf because i wanna make a name for myself as i believe i can do better in the corporate world. Im ready to strive hard and do whatever it takes to succeed.

HOWEVER, i really believe that i should spend some time with my family and my girlfriend. Im really vexed up. I need some advice. Is she scaring me off? Is she those career-minded freak? Is the Personal Banker role in banks really this busy and no life? I wouldnt mind work 6 full days a week and at least spend a day with friends or family. BUT 7 days a week 4 weeks a mth?...? seriously...? Where's the work-life-balance that has been advocated?

I really need some constructive advice if this job is really that taxing and if i should look for other jobs instead.

The story is probably true.

I worked as a mortgage specialist in OCBC 2 years ago, so essentially was a personal banker for people looking to buy HDB or condos. Hours were long as most of my clients were working, almost everyday I meet people back to back from 6pm to midnight, sometimes don’t even have time for dinner…

As for Saturday & Sunday of course all burnt on either some road show or meet client since most would prefer to meet during weekend. It’s a lot more hectic because you need to meet them at places convenient to them, so I was all over Singapore and probably as good as taxi drivers wrt Singapore roads.

Between the normal 9 to 6 working hours, it’s either meeting ad-hoc client, team meeting, training or doing all that admin stuff. My boss actually not bad and tries his best to coach us, it’s just that the nature of the job is like that, once you slack there will be problem meeting monthly KPI which is usually a combination of product mix % and loan value.

If you are more generalist kind of RM details might be different, but I think work hours and stress should be roughly the same.

[justanotherguy]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My advice - since you are already set on leaving SAF - DONT LOOK BACK

Take the job, try it first.. tell your girlfriend about the job you are going to take on and make sure that she must support you 100%. Generally, most people in banks work long hours..I used to work in a bank for 12-13 hrs a day but sat/sun not included as I am not in front-line sales.

Give yourself a timeframe, say 1 full year, and see if the reward vs the sacrifice is worth it. Also during that time, see if you want to be personal banker for a few years, before moving or try to move to another role that gives you more time.

Dont be afraid to work hard, if you are, you are making a wrong move to the corporate world.

Dont let people discourage you easily.. I am sure a lot of people laugh at Steve jobs when Microsoft was the invincible giant.. with determination, work SMART and hard, sweat it out.. do you best. After some time, weigh your options, see where you are and what you want to acheive.

Good luck bro.

Thx bro for the advice... May you prosper in ur career.